---------------------------------------------------
American Muslims for Jerusalem
---------------------------------------------------

December 8, 2000

AT&T Distances itself from IDF

Washington, DC (December 8, 2000)-American Muslims for Jerusalem
and The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (known in Arabic as
Al-Awda) announced today that a high-level AT&T executive distanced
his company from reports linking it to the Israeli military's (IDF)
website. According to AMJ and Al-Awda, the AT&T executive insisted
that his company has no agreement with the IDF. Further investigation
by AMJ and Al-Awda also finds no verifiable relationship between
AT&T and the IDF web site at present.

On October 26, the Israeli army spokesperson announced that a contract
had been arranged whereby AT&T would provide back-up hosting
for the IDF website. This alleged arrangement came after hackers
shut down the IDF website. Both Al-Awda and AMJ assert that the
site is used to propagate justifications for the mass killings and
repression of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories.

Following the announcement, Al-Awda initiated a boycott of AT&T,
sending a clear message of widespread grassroots opposition to any
relationship the company would have with the IDF.

At the same time, American Muslims for Jerusalem contacted AT&T
and expressed concern over the website arrangement. After outlining
the IDF's human rights abuses, AMJ executive director Khalid Turaani
wrote, "I am certain that your company would not knowingly
support an entity that is involved in committing such severe human
rights violations." AT&T also responded to these initial
contacts with a form response.

In spite of many requests for clarification from AT&T concerning
its arrangement with the IDF, for weeks, the company declined to
distance itself and instead provided a form response.

A second letter sent from AMJ on November 10 criticized AT&T's
apparent lack of concern for the issue. In the second letter Turaani
wrote, "I am seeking clarification of AT&T's position on
knowingly providing service to groups involved in multiple violations
of international human rights laws."

Following the second letter, and a widening boycott by Al-Awda,
a senior AT&T executive discussed the issue with Turaani. The
executive distanced AT&T from the news reports and insisted
that the company had no agreement with the IDF. A trace of servers
affiliated with the IDF site produced no matches to AT&T. According
to this investigation the IDF site was still hosted by NetVision,
an Israeli provider. Inquiries to reporters who covered the story
also produced no confirmation of an agreement between AT&T and
the IDF other than the Israeli military spokesperson's comments.

AMJ and Al-Awda thank members and supporters who took part in this
effort. The groups will continue monitoring AT&T for any association
it may develop with the IDF website and will take action accordingly.

-------------------------------------------

However this does not excuse AT&T for their investment in Israel,
as indicated below::

US Companies with Investments in Israel
( http://www.inminds.com/boycott-us-companies.html )

AT&T Communications: Inc JV with Barak for internet hookups,
several million dollars (8/98)